Mage Marcus observed the group, his eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of worry.
"Right?" he asked, his voice filled with suspense.
"Why did we all get attacked, but the Baron stayed safe and not attacked?" All eyes turned to Rederic, their gazes intense, waiting for an explanation.
Rederic furrowed his brow, his head trying to find an answer to what he's going to answer.
"That's a good question," he admitted, his tone tinged with uncertainty. "But I'm afraid I don't know..." He paused, feeling the weight of their expectations on him. Then, a realization struck Mage Marcus on the side, and he just blurted, "Maybe it's because the creature that attacked us were meat-eaters or carnivores and maybe that's why Baron Wallace's only targets are mostly Herbivores?"
The words came out as speculation, but they resonated with the other Mana Knights at his side.
Soon, like a breeze that passes through them, a wind of understanding swept through the group, their faces showing astonishment. It was as if a veil had been lifted, and what Marcus was saying became clear.
Suddenly, amidst their shared realization, Cedric, the Mana Knight who had always cried, whimpered with regret. "Oh god, if only I knew earlier. I wouldn't have put myself in danger," he lamented, his words filled with self-doubt.
The weight of his realization weighed heavily on his soul, crushing his entire spirit as a whole.
Alistair, known for his sharp words, couldn't help but snort with amusement. "Heh! Nobles and their scary intelligence," he mocked, his words dripping with sarcasm. "Of course, you wouldn't know. Even I didn't," he added, a hint of camaraderie in his voice.
Cedric and Alistair exchanged a quick look, and they both laughed!
Hahahaha!
Their laughter blended in the air.
The tension that had gripped them earlier faded away, replaced by a sense of unity and positive vibes.
Amidst their laughter, Mage Marcus interrupted, his voice breaking through the merriment. "I can't say for sure if my guess is correct," he confessed, his tone measured and thoughtful.
"But maybe, just maybe, we'll find out soon..." His words hung in the air, promising revelations yet to come.
Sensing and understanding what he is talking about, they turned their attention to the hologram, their eyes fixed on Baron Wallace, observing his every move with unwavering focus.
Then they noticed something else.
…
In the vast open grassland of the Savannah, where the sunlight filtered through a canopy of dried-up trees, Wallace walked leisurely, his footsteps making a soft sound as he stepped on the carpet of dry leaves.
Each step felt purposeful, as if he was expecting something exciting to happen. And then, suddenly, he stopped, standing still like a predator ready to pounce.
He stared at the tops of the trees, as if trying to see beyond the thick foliage, and then to the golden grasses down below, catching a glimpse of something mysterious.
"Should I kill a carnivore to awaken the facehuggers??"
Wallace thought, a mischievous spark in his eyes.
In his world, Earth, where players like him enjoyed playing the game, it was well-known that facehuggers, those notorious assassins, would only start appearing after the player killed meat-eating animals.
Their arrival was both a sign and an enticing challenge. But Wallace had grown tired of their constant pursuit after playing for years back on earth, so it wouldn't be a problem for him anymore.
Still, their presence would be bothersome—an annoying disturbance that he wished to avoid.
Plus, he didn't want to do this because he was trying his hardest to avoid it, as he didn't want to experience what the Mana Knights had experienced: being shoved by a thick, hard thing in their mouths, down to their throats like they are some kind of bitches.
However, sensing his level, his confidence surged through veins of his body. His level had reached a certain level where the threat of facehuggers no longer in his head as long he is alert.
After carefully considering his options, Wallace made up his mind. He nodded determinedly, silently affirming his decision.
"Alright then, let the game play out as it will," he declared, his voice filled with assurance like he can grab a nuclear bomb and stop it with his own body.
Turning around swiftly, Wallace closed his eyes, with a faint confident smile appearing on his lips.
He looked like he embraced the moment, relishing the excitement that flowed through his entire being.
Until he felt the world around him faded away as he eagerly embraced the unknown.
…
Meanwhile, outside, Knight Rederic, Alistair, Cedric, Eldric, Gideon, Ivander, Jasper, and Mage Marcus cast skeptical glances at Wallace as they stood on the edge of the golden, grassy area.
The vibrant sunlight filtered through the swaying blades, creating an ethereal glow that bathed the landscape.
However, hidden within those sun-kissed strands lurked unseen perils, they knew predators were waiting patiently for their moment to strike.
Of course, the knights and the mage knew the dangers that lay hidden in the tall grass.
They were seasoned warriors, attuned to the subtlest signs of danger.
They had learned the hard way that turning their backs to the treacherous unknown was a grave mistake, a risk that could cost them their lives— it was common knowledge.
So why, they wondered, was Wallace so brazenly exposing his back?
And then, in a breathless moment, the answer presented itself with a startling clarity.
A creature, with a yellow spotted fur blending seamlessly with the golden waves, emerged from the depths of the grass.
Swaashh!
It sprang forward, propelled by predatory instincts honed through countless victorious hunts.
Meanwhile, Wallace's reaction was swift, a testament to his agility and reflexes.
In one fluid motion, he spun around, his eyes locking onto the creature.
Without hesitation, he unleashed a knife from his right hand, with a glinting sliver of steel, it sailed through the air with deadly accuracy.
The world seemed to hold its breath as the knife found its mark, striking the creature with pinpoint precision.
Kacha!
A triumphant cry echoed through the air, but while mid-air propelling towards him, Wallace met its moving body and successfully took the knife out of its head, and then, finally, the predator crumpled to the ground, dead and defeated.
Wallace's heart raced with excitement after defeating the spotted leopard, but he knew it's not done yet.
Suddenly, a spider-like creature burst out from the same grass, using its eight legs to swiftly approach Wallace. Its shiny outer shell sparkled in the sunlight, revealing its deadly nature.
Instinct took control as Wallace's sharp reflexes kicked in again.
Without hesitation, he threw his knife at the creature, just like he had done with the leopard moments ago.
Soon, the blade cut through the air with deadly accuracy again, hitting the creature's stomach.
Kacharrk!
A horrifying scream shattered the silence of the savannah, echoing across the grassy plains.
The creature wriggled in agony, its massive body convulsing while mid-air. Wallace wasted no time and quickly retrieved his knife, smoothly repeating the same motion he had used to bring the knife back from the leopard while it was mid-air.